{"product_id":"raw-icelandic-fleece-for-living-rugs","title":"Raw Icelandic Fleece for Living Rugs","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"201\" data-end=\"268\"\u003eThis is raw fleece set aside for making what’s called a living rug.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"553\"\u003eA living rug is made by felting the backside of the fleece so it holds together, while the top is left natural so you still see the fibers, color, and character of the wool. It’s not woven or processed into something uniform. It still looks like it came from a sheep, because it did.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"747\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"747\"\u003eThese are not finished rugs. The fleece can have holes, sticks, hay, and other pasture debris. It’s up to you, the DIYer, to clean it out and felt those areas closed as you build your rug.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"749\" data-end=\"894\"\u003eThis raw fleece still needs to be finished through felting, making it a hands-on DIY project that turns into a one-of-a-kind heirloom living rug.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"896\" data-end=\"1173\"\u003eEach year when we shear, I pull aside fleeces that are best suited for this kind of use. This wool comes straight off our sheep and hasn’t been cleaned, combed, or processed in any way. You’ll be doing that part yourself—picking through it and working it into a finished piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1175\" data-end=\"1305\"\u003eThese sheep live out on rough mountain ground, and the wool reflects that. It’s not uniform, and no two fleeces come out the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"ujtzo2\" data-start=\"1312\" data-end=\"1342\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1316\" data-end=\"1340\"\u003eWhat this listing is\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1343\" data-end=\"1493\"\u003eRaw, unprocessed Icelandic fleece selected for making a living rug. You’re buying the starting material, not a finished or partially finished product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"14ra47c\" data-start=\"1500\" data-end=\"1524\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1504\" data-end=\"1522\"\u003eWhat to expect\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1525\" data-end=\"1572\"\u003eThis is wool exactly as it comes off the sheep:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1574\" data-end=\"1912\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1of5s1n\" data-start=\"1574\" data-end=\"1634\"\u003eThere will be sticks, hay, and pasture debris throughout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"tt6lmi\" data-start=\"1635\" data-end=\"1693\"\u003eThere may be thin spots or small holes to work through\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1h55dr4\" data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1737\"\u003eYou’ll need to sort and prep it by hand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1lj0g63\" data-start=\"1738\" data-end=\"1789\"\u003eTexture will vary—this is not soft garment wool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1nwq4og\" data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1841\"\u003eEach fleece is different in color and structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"cdmitz\" data-start=\"1842\" data-end=\"1912\"\u003eIt takes time and a bit of effort to turn this into a finished rug\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1wgdbi6\" data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1949\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1923\" data-end=\"1947\"\u003eWhat this is not for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1950\" data-end=\"2060\"\u003eThis isn’t for spinning yarn or making clothing, and it’s not for anyone looking for clean, ready-to-use wool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1bwt75d\" data-start=\"2067\" data-end=\"2092\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2071\" data-end=\"2090\"\u003eWho this is for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2093\" data-end=\"2208\"\u003eFor anyone who wants to make a one-of-a-kind, heirloom wool living rug—starting with fleece straight off our sheep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"110rym4\" data-start=\"2215\" data-end=\"2267\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2219\" data-end=\"2265\"\u003eHow to finish a living rug (basic process)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2269\" data-end=\"2364\"\u003eStart by laying the fleece out as a whole piece. You want to keep it intact, not pull it apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2366\" data-end=\"2551\"\u003eGo through it by hand and remove sticks, hay, and dirt. You can gently open areas as needed to get debris out, but the goal is to keep the fleece structure together as much as possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2553\" data-end=\"2758\"\u003eOnce it’s cleaned up, you can address any thin spots or holes as you go. As you’re picking through it, you’ll naturally end up with loose wool—set that aside and use it to fill in and build up those areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2760\" data-end=\"3005\"\u003eFrom there, begin the felting process. Alternate hot and cold water and start working the fleece by pressing and rubbing in small circles. You’re tightening what’s already there, not taking it apart. You’ll feel when the fibers start to lock in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3007\" data-end=\"3116\"\u003eSince these fleeces are already fairly felted when they come off the sheep, there’s no need to add a backing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3118\" data-end=\"3303\"\u003eOnce it starts holding together, roll the fleece up in a tarp and roll it back and forth for about 20 minutes. Unroll it, check the tightness, and repeat as needed until it feels solid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3305\" data-end=\"3452\"\u003eAfter that, go back in with a felting needle for any small holes. Pinch those areas together and use the needle to work the fibers until they hold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3454\" data-end=\"3611\"\u003eOnce everything feels tight and set, rinse the rug with clean water to remove any soap. Just run water through it until it runs clear—no need to overwork it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3613\" data-end=\"3672\"\u003ePress out the excess water without wringing or twisting it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3674\" data-end=\"3819\"\u003eLay it flat and take a minute to shape it while it’s still wet. Straighten the edges and even things out so it dries the way you want it to look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3821\" data-end=\"4005\"\u003eLet it dry completely in a spot with good air circulation. A drying rack, fence, or anything that lets air move around it works well. Depending on weather, this can take a couple days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4007\" data-end=\"4099\"\u003eThere’s no exact formula here. Each one turns out a little different, and that’s part of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"4101\" data-end=\"4104\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"15e17hb\" data-start=\"4106\" data-end=\"4130\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4110\" data-end=\"4128\"\u003eFrom the ranch\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4131\" data-end=\"4241\"\u003eThis is left raw on purpose. You’re starting at the very beginning and taking it all the way through yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wild Things Ranch","offers":[{"title":"White","offer_id":52877984006463,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black","offer_id":52877984039231,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grey","offer_id":52877984071999,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0689\/6792\/4031\/files\/IMG_7595.heic?v=1777527067","url":"https:\/\/wildthingsranch.shop\/products\/raw-icelandic-fleece-for-living-rugs","provider":"Wild Things Ranch LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}